Resilient supporting means for display devices



Nov. 18, 1941. L. c. WISE RESILIENT SUPPORTING MEANS FOR DISPLAY DEVICES Filed Jan. 6, 1940 LUTHER C. WISE, fi x. 99.

KING

llmmm I lllllll THIS BLOCK Patented Nov. 18, 1941 RESILIENT SUPPORTING MEANS FOR.

' DISPLAY DEVICES Luther 0. Wise, Washington, D. C.

Application January 6, 1940, Serial No. 312,781

2 Claims.

This invention relates to an improvement in supports and particularly supports for signs or other display devices.

It is an object of the present invention to provide such a support adapted to permit the erection of a sign or the removal of a sign with a minimum of efiort and which will rigidly maintain the sign in a predetermined position of adjustment against accidental displacement by wind or other foreign elements.

A further object of the invention resides in means for securely supporting a sign or the like upon cylindrical or semi-cylindrical posts, trees or the like, such means permitting the quick removal of the sign Without the aid of tools.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a sign support having resilient clamping means for permitting the erecting of signs upon posts or trees of varying diameters.

Another and important object of the invention is its extreme simplicity, is strong, durable, cheap to manufacture and is highly eiflcient in use.

Other and important objects of the invention will present themselves during the course of the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which,

Figure 1 is a face view of a sign showing the invention in use,

Figure 2 is a perspective View of a sign and its associated supporting means separated and prior to assembly,

Figure 3 is an edge elevation of a sign and its associated supporting elements assembled,

Figure 4 is a horizontal section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 3, and

Figure 5 is a vertical section on line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Referring specifically to the drawing, the numeral 5 designates a sign or other display object adapted to be supported. The sign is provided with openings 6 adjacent its outer edges and a centrally arranged opening 1 in horizontal alignment with the openings 6. The numeral 8 designates a channel bar adapted to be bolted to the rear face of the sign and rigidly held thereagainst by bolts 9, The channel 8 is also provided with an opening l0 arranged equidistantly spaced from its ends and in alignment with the opening I, for a purpose to be described. The channel 8 serves both as a stifiening means for the sign and as a support or means of attachment for a spring clamp, to be described.

Means are provided for mounting the sign upon posts or trees of varying diameters, comprising a resilient clamp of spring steel indicated by the numeral II and having an open side l2 and a flat straight portion I3. As shown, the straight portion 13 is arranged diametrically opposite the open side E2. The flat straight portion [3 is provided with an opening I4 arranged intermediate its ends. The free ends [2 are flared outwardly and are provided with openings 15, for a purpose to be described.

The numeral [6 designates a flat, elongated clamping bar having a centrally postioned integral threaded stud ll adapted to be engaged by a thumb nut l8. As clearly shown in Figure 4, the resilient spring II is adapted to seat within the channel 8 with the straight portion [3 rigidly clamped therein by the clamping bar IS, the stud IT passing through the openings l0 and I and held therein by the nut l8 upon the face of the sign. As clearly illustrated in Figure 5, the width of the spring [I is such as to snugly fit within the channel 8, thus assuring of proper alignment of the spring and bar and as a consequence, avoiding any twisting of the spring with respect to the sign. The clamp l6 rigidly maintains the spring upon its seat and insures against too abrupt a flexing of the spring when it is forced over relatively large supports, The clamp I6 is of such thickness as to be flush with the edges of the channel 8 when assembled, this arrangement guarding against injury to a tree or other support when the clamp is abruptly engaged with force. The openings [5 are provided as a means for more or less permanently mounting the sign and when such sign is to be mounted for a relatively long period, a wire or bolt is passed through the openings and the clamp ll rigidly secured in engaging position.

In use, a spring ll of desired diameter is assembled upon the sign through the medium of the channel 8 and clamping bar 5. The sign is now ready for mounting. The operator then merely places the open side l2 of the spring ll against a tree or post and forces the whole assembly inwardly, causing the spring to flex and pass over the post after which it will conform to the contour of the post and will then rigidly support the sign without other aid. To remove the sign, it obviously is only necessary to pull outwardly on the sign to cause the spring II to flex and pass over the post. It is contemplated that the bars 8 will be permanently mounted upon new and existing signs for the period of their life, after which they may be removed and placed upon other signs. It is also contemplated to employ springs ll of varying diameters to accommodate supports of varying diameters. In

such cases, the operator will observe the type of support on which the sign is to be mounted and will then select the size spring best suited. The spring can then be quickly connected,

It is to be understood that the'invention is not limited to the precise construction shown, but that it includes within its purview whatever changes fairly come within either the terms or thespirit of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination a sign plate and a support therefor comprising a channel bar, means for detachably securing the said bar to the rear face of a sign plate, a resilient clamping member open.

port therefor comprising a rigid channel bar adapted to be detachably bolted to the rear face of said display plate, said bar provided with openings adjacent each end for the passage of securing bolts and a centrally arranged opening, a resilient clamping member of flat spring material open at one side and having its ends flaring, the opposite side of said clamping member formed straight, said clamping member engaging within the channel of the channel bar, a clamping bar engaging said straight portion of the clamping member for retaining it firmly in said channel, the clamping bar provided with a threaded stud passing through an opening formed in said straight portion and the opening formed in said channel and said display plate, a nut engageable with said stud at the front face of the display plate, said clamping bar when in clamping position having its outer face flush with the outer edges of the channel bar, said flaring ends of the clamping'member having openings formed therein to receive fastening means.

LUTHER c. WYISE. 

